Vick says he has two good' years left as NFL starter

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick (7) breaks a tackle by New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick isn’t above being a backup quarterback to stick around the NFL.

Which is good because that’s Vick’s role with the Eagles after Chip Kelly formally made Nick Foles the starter Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Vick is completing a one-year contract. Having seen the writing on the wall a few weeks ago, he’s come out of the bye week fresh, healthy and determined to make the best of his situation.

“It’s tough when your future is uncertain,” Vick said. “But you also have to look at the things that you did and the things that you were able to do well. Hopefully that’s enough to continue to show that I can continue to still play. I feel good. I feel great. I still feel like I have a lot of time to play this game. I’m still learning it. So I’m excited about it but I still have to focus on each and every day for the rest of this season and continue to try to help this team win games.”

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Vick says he can still run a blistering 4.4 in the 40-yard dash and that he has “two good” years as a starter left in the NFL. After that he has no issue in a role similar to a sixth man in pro basketball.

“I’d be a good backup,” he said. “I’m coming off the bench to win some games.”

Vick started the first five games before exiting with a hamstring pull. Foles has started all but one of the succeeding games for the Eagles (6-5), leading the squad to three straight victories entering their game Sunday against the Cardinals (7-4) at Lincoln Financial Field.

The work Foles put in impressed Vick and several other teammates. Cornerback Cary Williams was among the group who saw Foles making the most of his opportunity week in and week out.

“I kind of figured that was going to be the case,” Williams said. “And I think Mike came out and said something about it earlier. So everybody is just excited about the opportunity. Foles is coming into his own. He’s a great player. He works very hard. He’s a great guy off the field and a great teammate in the locker room. For him to have so much success it just shows his hard work and dedication and his poise as a person and his perseverance. I mean he’s a guy that’s always wants to get better. He’s one of the last ones to leave the facility each and every day. So for him to get the starting job is tremendous.”

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All of the Eagles practiced Tuesday except safety Earl Wolff, who still is unable to run after sustaining a hyper-extended knee.

Wolff confirmed it’s going to be tough to get back on the field this week, which is what head coach Chip Kelly said earlier in the day.

Wolff’s mother is hurt, too as she’s coming off foot surgery. But she’s going to get back to work soon.

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The Eagles are only a head-to-head tiebreaker behind the NFC East-leading Cowboys, who also are 6-5.

Statistically the Cowboys have an easier schedule down the homestretch as the aggregate records of their opponents is 24-30-1 (.445) compared to 27-27-1 (.500) for the Eagles.

The Cowboys complete the regular season against the Raiders (4-7), Bears (6-5), Packers (5-5-1), Redskins (3-8) and Eagles.

The Eagles take on the Cardinals (7-4), Lions (6-5), Vikings (2-8-1), Bears and Cowboys.

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NOTES: General manager Howie Roseman was nominated by the Eagles for the Third Annual Salute to Service Award, presented by the NFL and USAA, the NFL’s official Military Appreciation sponsor. Roseman works with local military from bases in New Jersey and Delaware, hosting military at each game. Bears cornerback Charles Tillman got the award last year … The Eagles worked indoors Tuesday due to the precipitation … In five games against the Eagles Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has 35 receptions for 570 yards (114 yard average) and nine touchdowns. In the last three games Fitzgerald has 25 grabs for 412 yards (137.3 average) and six TDs … The Cardinals have won four straight games under Bruce Arians, who was NFL coach of the year stepping in for Chuck Pagano when he became ill last season with the Colts. Arians coached Temple from 1983-88.

Follow Bob Grotz on Twitter @BobGrotz.

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